". . . education, therefore, is a process of living and not a preparation for future living."
– John Dewey

Overview

The Ph.D. in Psychology curriculum offers four years of coursework in Psychology (three years for Advanced Standing students) drawing on spiritual traditions, somatic practices, creative arts, mythology, indigenous wisdom, literary and poetic imagination, deep ecology, mystical philosophy, cultural history, and social critique.

Building on the core curriculum of the first two years, the third and fourth years of the Ph.D. program emphasize research, clinical, and cultural praxis skills as well as acquiring the knowledge base of psychology as a profession. The research coursework prepares students for the completion of an original research dissertation.

The Ph.D. in Psychology is designed to meet the educational requirements for the State of California Psychologist license. This program is also designed to meet the educational requirements for the State of California license in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), and, in accordance with section 4980.38(a) of the Business and Professions Code, meets the requirements of sections 4980.37 and 4980.40.

The following concentrations are offered:

• Art Therapy
• Creative Arts Therapy
• Somatic Psychology
• Cultural Leadership
• Business Psychology
• Health Psychology

Graduation Requirements

• Students who enter with a Bachelor's degree must complete four years (170 units) of coursework. Students who enter the program’s second year with a Master's degree (Advanced Standing) must complete three years (140 units) of coursework. Supervised fieldwork (750 hours) and dissertation units are included in these unit totals.

• Students entering with a Bachelor's degree are required to take the written and oral comprehensive exams for the Master's in Psychology after completing two years of coursework.

• After completing all coursework, students must pass written and oral comprehensive examinations.

• The completion of an original research Dissertation is required.

• Sixty hours of personal therapy in an individual, couple, family, or group setting are required. In some cases, this experience may be obtained prior to enrollment in Meridian’s graduate program.

Curriculum

Please consult the Academic Catalog for the curriculum overview, course descriptions, and clinical licensure information relevant to the Ph.D. in Psychology.